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Title IX was a measure that was passed more than 30 years ago to assist in providing equity between genders on the collegiate "playing field" -- including both educational and athletic opportunities. A growing number of women are learning about sports and following both professional and collegiate-level teams. And although the types of professional women's sports now being played are far greater than 30 years ago, the equity of dollars spent at the collegiate level still is not in compliance with Title IX.

This regulation was written and approved to prohibit the ongoing discrimination based on sex in educational programs or activities that received federal funds. Colleges are required to satisfy one of three criteria to meet the Title IX requirements.

1. Offer athletic opportunity to men and women in number that are "substantially proportionate" to their enrollment ratio.
2. Show a history and "continuing practice" of expanding opportinities for the underrepresented gender.
3. Demonstrate the "interests and abilities" that the underrepresented gender have been accommodated.

In order to be in full compliance, most colleges choose to attempt to comply with the first requirement since the second two tend to be a bit ambiguous.

Update
About 54 percent of college students are now female. Therefore, according to Title IX, about 54 percent of the scholarships and money for athletic teams should be allocated for women (this should be proportionate to each school's enrollment). However, according to NCAA statistics,

• females only account for 41 percent of the athletes;
• men's collegiate programs receive 60.5 percent of the scholarships;
• men's collegiate programs receive 64.5 percent of the operating expenses;
• men's collegiate programs receive 68.2 percent of the recruiting expenses; and
• head coaches of men's collegiate programs receive 59.5 percent of the head coaching salaries.

Until the past 10 years (20 years after implementation) there was not enforcement of this requirement. This enforcement has only begun to be adhered to because of the boldness of women who are suing colleges and universities that do not comply. As a result of their bravery, these college and universities are being required to pay-out large sums of money, thus enforcing compliance with the law. Unfortunately, outside of a lawsuit, there are no repercussions for noncompliance.

Yes, a lot of progress has been made over the past 30 years in bringing the equity of dollars spent for women's collegiate level sports compared to the male counterparts; however, a lot still needs to be done. Men's teams are now coming forward stating this is reverse discrimination because some of their lesser-known teams (men's diving, men's swimming) are not being fully funded. If they would look at their budgets, they would see that the budgets are not funded in these sports by fans, and if they would choose to spend a more equitable amount on their men's football and basketball programs, they would have the money they would need for these lesser-supported teams . . . using a part of their budgets from other men's programs and not from the women's budget that is still not in compliance with the law.

President Bush created a commission to take a look at deregulating Title IX and, thus, in effect, turning back the timeclock for young women throughout our country. As a result of a report submitted on behalf of this commission to the President, a minority report was written and submitted. Please take a few minutes and look at the .pdf format of this minority report and pass it along to all of your voting friends and associates.

I pray that young women throughout our country will have the boldness to stand-up for what is right and ensure their respective universities and colleges are in compliance with this law. We no longer need to settle for second-best.